https://www.nbcnews.com/business/media/warner-bros-discovery-for-sale-rcna238857

WBD previously announced they were going to split and have the cable networks become their own company called Discovery and Warner Bros. studio and HBO would remain as Warner Bros. While still exploring that option they have announced they are open to a buyer coming in to take it all. Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison (son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison) had previously expressed interest in buying WBD so its assumed they are the leading candidate. If that goes through, it would be a merger of 2 legacy production studios, a merger of 2 or 3 streaming apps (HBO Max, Paramount+, and Discovery+), a merger of CNN News and CBS News, and a whole bunch of cable networks all being part of the same ownership.

For what it's worth, Ellison has said he would keep the studios separate, meaning Paramount would still release Paramount movies and Warner Bros would still release Warner Bros movies (it would just be "Warner Bros: A Paramount Skydance Company"). He would apparently even aim to release 15 movies per year per studio, which is more than either studio is releasing now. So there's a slim chance this MIGHT actually work out for the better in that regard, but who knows. That said, I imagine the streaming companies would be combined into one app regardless, which would also be better for consumers.

The disaster scenario is if Netflix buys Warner Bros, thus eliminating Warner Bros movies theatrically, which would all but kill the theatrical industry. Thankfully, despite the strong rumors, Netflix recently/basically said they're not interested, though, again... who knows.

My guess is Ellison ends up winning the bid, but whether he sticks to his word or not in that scenario is another matter.

Does Ellison want the studio/movies division or cable/tv division more? Or does he actually want all of it?

Just think of the synergies OracleTikTokParamountWBD will bring!

Side note: it seems like the decision by the idiot CMO at HBO who somehow, inconceivably made the decision to go with MAX as the brand over HBO is being reversed. I know a person who works there that confirmed that decision was seen as mind bogglingly stupid, internally. And stuff I'm reading from this whole deal makes it seem like the HBO name is the rightful brand here.

Still can't believe that idiocy.

And like clockwork, Max announces yet another price increase.

The Sun said:

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And like clockwork, Max announces yet another price increase.

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FYI - unless they've aligned pricing across the board HBO is cheaper if you get it through YTTV (and maybe Hulu Live?) rather than getting it as a stand-alone service.

YouBet said:

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The Sun said:

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And like clockwork, Max announces yet another price increase.

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FYI - unless they've aligned pricing across the board HBO is cheaper if you get it through YTTV (and maybe Hulu Live?) rather than getting it as a stand-alone service.

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If you've got an Amex card they run an HBO/HBO Max/Max/whatever it's called this week offer pretty often, you can get like $25 back on an annual subscription (which is way cheaper than paying monthly already).

I also went through the cancellation flow last time and they offered a 20 or 30 dollar discount on the annual subscription.